Mechanisms of self-incompatible and compatible pollen responses in the brassica family

在开花植物中，受精和种子发育依赖于花粉（雄性）和雌蕊（雌性）之间的成功相互作用。植物不能控制授粉（花粉落在雌蕊上的过程），需要有识别哪些花粉应该被接受用于受精的能力。戈林研究小组研究十字花科植物的花粉识别系统，以确定这些植物如何能够选择最合适的花粉粒进行受精。在这个科中，花粉粒落在雌蕊顶部后不久，雌蕊就开始识别花粉。外来花粉粒在很大程度上被忽略；而资源则由雌蕊提供给相关相容的花粉粒水化，并通过雌蕊顶部进行花粉管生长（相容花粉响应）。然后花粉管沿着雌蕊向下生长，到达胚珠进行受精。此外，十字花科的许多物种都有一个快速识别和拒绝自交花粉的系统（自交不相容花粉反应）。后一种系统的主要功能是防止近亲繁殖。

In flowering plants, fertilization and seed development rely on successful interactions between the pollen (male) and the pistil (female). Plants cannot control pollination (the process of pollen landing on the pistil) and need the ability to recognize which pollen should be accepted for fertilization. The Goring research group studies pollen recognition systems in the crucifer plants to determine how these plants are able to select the most appropriate pollen grains for fertilization. In this family, initial pollen recognition by the pistil occurs shortly after pollen grains land on the top of the pistil. Foreign pollen grains are largely ignored; while resources are provided by the pistil to related compatible pollen grains for hydration, and pollen tube growth through the top of the pistil (Compatible Pollen Response). The pollen tubes then grow down the pistil to reach ovules for fertilization. In addition, many species in the crucifer family have a system where self-pollen is rapidly recognized and rejected (Self-Incompatible Pollen Response). The main function of this latter system is to prevent inbreeding.